Commentary
2006 MAC Players to Watch - Part II
By Dan Wines
Sep 28, 2006, 20:40

With a third of the season a wrap, let's see how my five players to watch have fared and the impact it's had on their teams.

1.) Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois - If this kid was playing in the Big Ten his name would be perched atop the list of Heisman candidates. Since he's playing in the MAC, he's not getting the attention of a Troy Smith or Brady Quinn, but his performance has been better than either. He's averaging 207 yards per game on the ground, including 171 against Ohio State. Wolfe's gaudy 8.6 yards per carry is tops in the nation and is well ahead of Heisman hopefuls Marshawn Lynch (7.2), Steve Slaton (6.8), and Adrian Peterson (5.5). If he can manage to continue his torrid pace his numbers project out to 2484 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also showed he has a little LT in him with a Tomlinson-esque 114 receiving yards in the week 1 loss to OSU. While his size is a concern (5'7, 175), this kid has to have pro scouts drooling.

2.) Ryne Robinson, WR/PR, Miami(OH) - His team his 0-4, but not for lack of effort on his part. Robinson is currently second in the nation in receiving yards (438) and receptions (33). His numbers should dip a bit if Miami's coaches being to realize that relying on the skills of one player doesn't win games, but through four games Robinson has shown he can be the number one receiver Martin Nance was last season. He hasn't done anything special in the return game, but a combination of teams punting away from him and Miami's defense not forcing opponents to punt often is to blame for that. Nevertheless, his efforts at WR have shown why his name was on the Biletnikoff watch list. His projected numbers at his current pace are 99 catch, 1,314 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

3.) Luke Getsy, QB, Akron - At times Getsy has looked brilliant this season. This was never more evident than in Akron's upset victory over N.C. State in week 2 when Getsy marched Akron down the field with his arm and his legs. He showed poise in the pocket, knew when to flee it, and threw several clutch passes to his speedy receivers Jabari Arthur and David Harvey. He also added a reception in that game that set up a touchdown. And Then there's been the times between the brilliance. In Akron's 2 losses, Getsy's thrown 5 INTs, several of which opponents turned into scores. His 375 yard performance against Central Michigan was marred by his 3 INTs and the eventual loss to a conference foe. His 975 passing yards rank 17th in the country and his 7 TD passes have him tied for 23rd, however only eight other players have thrown more INTs than his five. At his current pace Getsy would end the season with 2,853 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 15 INTs, which would be a drop-off from his junior campaign. While Getsy would surely love to see his numbers pick up, he's going to have to hope he stops having his linemen help him up. Through four games this season, Getsy's been sacked 14 times. Divide by four, multiply by 12. Forty-two sacks will hurt anyone's stats.

4.) Kalvin McRae, RB, Ohio - 49 carries, 187 yards, 3.8 ypc. Hardly the numbers of a "player to watch." However, McRae's numbers are less an indictment of his own performance than an indication that Ohio's offense has been putting up paltry numbers. The Bobcats are averaging 2.2 yards per rush as a team and are only putting up 240 total offensive yards a game. Their defense has granted them two wins, but if Ohio wants to win many more they need to find a way to get McRae and the offense going. The one positive thing to report is that the only time McRae's carried the ball more than 15 times (17 vs. Northern Illinois), he's eclipsed 100 yards and the Bobcats left with a victory. Coincidence?

5.) Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan - He's been facing more double teams this season but has managed two sacks and four tackles for loss along with 15 tackles. That puts him on pace for a respectable 12 sack senior season, but definitely won't make him a lock for repeat defensive player of the year. I expect his number to improve as the offensive lines he faces get smaller and slower than those of Boston College and Michigan. His presence on that line has allowed the Chippewas to accumulate 23 sacks as a team, including four by fellow line mate Steven Friend.

Five players who have been pleasant surprises to their teams in '06.

1.) Joey Lynch, QB, Ball State - Lynch's numbers have been nothing short of impressive, and despite their 1-3 record, Ball State is 1-0 and in contention in the MAC West. He currently ranks first among MAC quarterbacks in efficiency rating (153.77) and third in the conference in passing yards (823). He's been a big part of Ball State's conference leading 298.8 pass yards per game and with games against Northern Illinois, Buffalo, and Central Michigan in the immediate future, expect Lynch's numbers to continue to impress. Lynch would likely lead the conference in yards but Ball State's efforts to prepare freshman QB Nate Davis has limited Lynch's pass attempts.

2.) Mark Bonds, RB, Western Michigan - There isn't another running back in the MAC, or country for that matter, with stats quite like Garrett Wolfe's, but Bonds has been a spark plug for the Western Michigan offense. In their three wins he's scored four touchdowns and averaged 112.6 yards. In the week 1 loss to Indiana, the Hoosiers limited Bonds to 66 yards and forced him to fumble. As Bonds goes, so go the Broncos thus far and with Ohio on tap Saturday, expect another 100 yard performance and another Broncos victory.

3.) Mike Kokal, QB, Miami(OH) - Kokal's main target, Ryne Robinson, has certainly made his transition to starter a smooth one, but Miami's predictability on offense has limited the duo's effectiveness and resulted in an 0-4 start. Kokal, however, has been solid in replacing 2005 QB Josh Betts. He's completing 62 percent of his passes and his 868 passing yards rank second in the conference behind Luke Getsy. If the Redhawks can somehow find some consistency in their running game (82.5 ypg), Kokal's accuracy and Robinson's explosiveness could help turn Miami's season around. The return of RB Brandon Murphy to the lineup may just make that a possibility.

4.) The Western Michigan defense - The Broncos 3-1 start is due in large part to the performance of their defense. They're allowing a meager 16.5 points per game and lead the MAC and are 12th nationally in rushing yards allowed (237). Add to that the speed and play-making ability of corner Londen Fryar (3 INTs, 123 yards, 2 defensive scores), and you have a team that will compete for the MAC crown. They lead the nation in turnover margin at +2.00, INTs (9), and are currently third with 12 forced turnovers.

5.) Kent State defense - This is a team that won one game last season and that one could be marked with an asterisk. Their lone 2005 victory came against Southeast Missouri State, a Division I-AA school. Their here largely because of their 38-3 drubbing of Bowling Green last week that included six turnovers, a defensive touchdown and a gem of a performance from senior Andre Kirkland. The Flashes' safety recorded 14 tackles, two picks, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. The win propelled Kent to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference. For the year, they're allowing 19.5 points a game (44 to Minnesota) and are sixth in the nation with 11 forced turnovers. They'll have a tough test Saturday against Akron, but through 4 games, this defense deserves recognition.

Honorable mentions: Najah Pruden, WR, Kent State - Chris Hopkins, TE, Toledo - Clint Cochran, QB, Toledo - Freddie Barnes, QB, Bowling Green - Darius Hill, WR, Ball State - Austen Everson, QB, Ohio

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